Vote for untainted individuals irrespective of party: Anna

Anti-corruption activist says the party-based politics has caused biggest damage to the country's political system

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare currently touring Uttarakhand as part of his Jantantra yatra today asked people to vote for untainted individuals irrespective of their party affiliations in future elections if they wanted to build India of their dreams.

"Use your right to vote judiciously. Elect untainted people who can deliver and do not run after political parties. Then alone can you build the corruption-free India of your dreams," Hazare told addressing a public meeting at Kausani in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district.

Noting that the party-based politics had caused biggest damage to the country's political system, he said the vision enshrined in the Constitution is that of people's rule and not that of a system encroached by political parties.

"Indian Constitution has no room for political parties. The vision enshrined in the Constitution is just that of a 'Gantantra'. But post Independence political parties encroached upon the system and made the country a hub of their power quest," Hazare said.

The Gandhian, who reached Anashakti Ashram at Kausani, where Mahatma Ghandhi stayed in the year 1929, said that by forming political parties to capture power, "the shrewd politicians of the country have cheated the people."

"Till the phenomenon of ruling and Opposition parties stays in the country, corruption will not end," Hazare said.

He said the concept of Gram Sabha and Gram Swarajya are at the core of the spirit of Indian constitution. While the concept of Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha are secondary as they have been crested by Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchauayts to help in Gram Swarajya.

"The politicians of the country have neutralised even these basic institutions for their vested interests," he alleged.

After addressing the meeting, Hazare retired to the same room where Mahatma Gandhi had lived during his visit to the Ashram in the 1920s.

"Anna will take part in routine prayer, which was initiated by the Mahatma, at the Ashram at 7 pm, as he has willed for it," said Radha Bahin, the well known Gandhian, who organised the public meeting of Hazare at Kausani.